The province is taking action to ensure there are enough hospital beds for COVID-19 patients needing urgent care.
Health Minister Christine Elliott has announced the provincial government is amending the Emergency Management and Civil Protection Act to temporarily give hospitals the flexibility to transfer patients who no longer require hospital care to long term care or retirement homes without the patient's consent.
The order can only be used in situations where critical care threatens to overwhelm a hospital.
Elliott says this was a difficult but necessary choice.
"The spread of COVID-19 variants continues to pose a significant threat to our health system’s critical care capacity and the lives of Ontarians. While this is an extremely difficult decision to make, the consequences of not doing so could be devastating if we don’t have the hospital beds we urgently need to care for the growing number of COVID-19 patients."
Transfers will be made when doctors are confident the patient's condition won't deteriorate, and efforts will be made to vaccinate patients before moving.

Poilievre to Attend Conservative BBQ in Oxford
Ingersoll Candidate Profile - Lindsay Wilson
Boil Water Advisory for Ingersoll
Motorcyclist Killed in Tillsonburg Crash
3rd Annual Running with the Bulls Shines
Mischief in Tillsonburg is Under Investigation
Upgrades Completed for Woodstock Disc Golf Course
OPP Enforcement for Civic Holiday Weekend
Woodstock Candidate Profile - Anthony Scalisi
Drug Trafficking Investigation Leads to Charges
EZT Candidate Profile - Don Chowan
Oxford County Requesting Public Input
Norwich Man Charged in Brant County
SPWH Wants You to Know Drinking Risks
Charges Laid after Truck Hits Bridge
Ingersoll Candidate Profile - Mike Tucker
Motorcyclist Killed in Oxford Collision
Tip Tuesday with the Oxford OPP - July 2026
Oxford OPP Briefs - July 28th, 2026